KISSING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

kissing

verb

present participle of kiss

as in cuddling

to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in brushing

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of kissing In the post, the couple, who tied the knot in July 2025, is seen kissing on the beach as Jenner holds up a series of ultrasound photos. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 44, were photographed embracing and kissing at a charity polo game on July 10 in Windsor, England. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 July 2026 In the Midwest, prices are even steeper, kissing $7 per pound. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026 After being a good boy for a few weeks—kissing a lot of ass, his wife was ready to forgive. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 10 July 2026 Qualley was first romantically linked with Antonoff in the summer of 2021, after they were spotted kissing in Brooklyn. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026 When the Chiefs won, the Grammy winner joined Kelce on the field, kissing and hugging him. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Cameras captured them kissing and hugging on the field after the game. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 Rock and Henault first sparked romance rumors after they were spotted kissing at a park in New York City on March 31. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing

Verb

Neill was a performer whose bone-deep decency shone through his work and was amplified in later years by a social-media presence that featured him reminiscing about his career or hanging out with animals on his farm, or maybe cuddling a duck.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
In the eight-photo carousel, the actress recapped her life with a few sweet pictures with her baby, including one of her and Green, 29, cuddling their little one in the hospital room while concealing the newborn’s face.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of cuddling

Verb

Showers and thunderstorms could return on Wednesday, with a few light showers brushing far northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
While brushing her teeth, Sweeny snapped a photo of herself in a gray cardigan, buttoned half-way down.

— Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of brushing

Verb

The late-night host has been on a hilarious smooching spree during his second-to-last week on the air, kissing several guests in recent days.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The new couple was most recently spotted smooching and holding hands in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood on Friday, April 3, and getting coffees on Sunday, April 5.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of smooching

Verb

In addition to the startling experience of touching the remains of an animal that lived hundreds of millions of years ago, contact with the Mastodonsaurus offers an opportunity to reflect on the future, those involved in the project said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
As a result, the person could control the robotic hand without touching it.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

The ships were directed to take a route along the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz, hugging Oman's coastline, rather than a route along Iran's coastline on the northern side of the strait.

— Jackie Northam, NPR, 17 July 2026
Lopez’s sheer lace bodysuit featured a delicate floral pattern that beautifully blanketed every inch of the figure-hugging design.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 17 July 2026

Definition of hugging

Verb

McLaughlin-Levrone shared more photos of her and her husband snuggling with Savannah on her Instagram Stories.

— Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Both this percale comforter and linen quilt would be perfect for staying cozy yet cool in warm weather, while the snowflake sheet set will add some wintry whimsy that kids will love snuggling into.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026